Table Decoration with Hair Flowers
Maker
Bee, Mary Bryce (b.1870, d.1899)
Production date
1895
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Object detail
Description
A floral, Victorian table decoration. It is an example of a then popular craft, consisting of flowers made from human hair. The flowers and foliage are constructed by wrapping the hair around pieces of wire and then shaping it. Typically the hair was boiled first. At least two different colours of hair have been used and some of the flowers also have beaded details. Coloured thread has been used in places to hold the hair to the lengths of metal wire. The arrangement is on a yellow satin base over cardboard with a glass dome covering the arrangement.
This item was made by Mrs R. McDowell (nee Mary Bryce Bee), Weston, North Otago in 1895. At this time she would have been around 25 years. She died aged 29 very soon after the birth of her only child, Horace Bee McDowell.
This item was made by Mrs R. McDowell (nee Mary Bryce Bee), Weston, North Otago in 1895. At this time she would have been around 25 years. She died aged 29 very soon after the birth of her only child, Horace Bee McDowell.
Production place
Production date
1895
Production period
Collection type
Collection
Media/materials
glass, human hair
Measurements
H 205mm x W 136mm x D 103mm
Related information
Accession number
79/1663
System ID
6365
Current Rights
Culture Waitaki Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence
Culture Waitaki Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence
Culture Waitaki Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence
Organisation Credit Line
Collection of the Waitaki Museum. Id 6365
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